Philadelphia Union score late goal to eke out win over Toronto

CHESTER, Pa. – Kleberson got a cup of coffee of playing time against Montreal on Aug. 31.

Before that, he hadn’t played a single minute for the Philadelphia Union since injuring himself on June 1 against Toronto.

However, desperate times call for desperate measures – and roster decisions.

Kleberson was inserted into the game in the 79th minute in Saturday’s contest but delivered the biggest goal of the season. The Brazilian scored on a set piece from 25 yards out in the final minute of extra time to lift the Union to a 1-0 win over Toronto at sold-out PPL Park.

He snuck the ball in the upper right hand corner of the net that barley even moved Toronto goalie Joe Bendik and set off an eruption of a celebration on the field and in the stands.

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The win improved the Union to 12-10-9 and 45 points. They leapt over Chicago for sole possession of the fifth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Chicago has 43 points, while New England (2-2 tie against New York) has 42 points and Columbus (1-0 loss to KC) sits with 41 points in eighth.

Four points separate teams in fifth to eighth.

The goal was the first one scored at home since Aug. 10 against D.C. United. Making it even more impressive, the Union were playing down a man after losing Fabinho to a red card in the 77th minute for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Playing against the team that is tied for the second fewest points in the league, the Union nearly squandered the three points. However, they had tied Toronto in a pair of 1-1 finishes this season.

Antoine Hoppenot had the best scoring chances for either side. A few minutes after entering the game for Jack McInerney, the super-sub rocketed a shot off the front of the crossbar in the 60th minute. Then he got an open look just inside the 18 but missed wide in the 64th minute.

He later had a blast blocked by a defender. A decent dribbler was handled by Toronto keeper Joe Bendik in the 83rd minute.

Robert Earnshaw had the best scoring chance for Toronto, when his shot from 25 yards out on a set piece hit the bottom of the crossbar in the 80th minute.

Up next for the Union is a date next Saturday at DC, which has the worst record in the league. United is 3-22-6 but all three wins have been at home. The Union are 2-0 against D.C. this season.